How to Organize Your Garage
/Are you parking in the driveway or street because clutter has taken over your garage? If so, you’re not alone, about 1 in 4 Americans claim to have the same dilemma. The garage becomes the drop zone for just about everything—tools, toys, sports equipment, trash. Once that door is closed, it’s out of sight, out of mind. With home projects and wish lists galore, the garage isn’t often a top priority. If you find yourself frustrated with the mess and chaos, it’s time to get organized and reclaim those parking spots.
When it comes to garage organization, everyone’s needs are going to be a little different—maybe you have a preschooler and the sidewalk chalk and bubbles have taken over, perhaps you’re having trouble corralling all the sports equipment needed by your young athlete, or maybe you enjoy DIY projects and need more space for tools and supplies. I’ll show you how to maximize your storage space while keeping those frequently used items within reach.
1. Sort & Edit
Like most home organizing projects, start by getting rid of the items you no longer need—like outgrown toys and broken equipment. Sorting everything into categories as you go allows you to easily identify duplicate and unwanted items. Be realistic about what you need to keep. Unless you run a landscaping business, you probably don’t need two weed-eaters or five shovels.
Trash or recycle the items that are broken. Donate or sell the items that might be of use to someone else.
2. Clean it up
With the items you no longer want out of the way, it’s time to clean up—knock down the cobwebs, sweep the floors, and wipe down any shelves that are staying in place. Now also is a great time to patch any holes and apply a fresh coat of paint!
3. Game Plan
Make a list of all the items you need to store—each shovel, broom, bike… you name it.
Draw out the walls of your garage to plan the best placement for each item. This works best if you use graph paper and draw to scale to ensure you create enough designated space for each item.
Keep like items together—yard tools in one area, kids’ toys and gear in another. Use storage bins to group and contain small items on shelving.
Remember to account for the large items that need floor space, like mowers and trash cans, but aim to keep the floor as clear as possible.
4. Shop Supplies
There are lot of garage organizing systems available—for an easy-to-install, durable, and customizable system—I recommend Gladiator.
Take count of the rails, hooks, baskets, shelves, etc. needed to implement your plan and start shopping. Need some inspiration? Shop some of our go-to’s below!
Note: It’s tempting to install two rows of storage, but often a single row is the most effective. Carefully consider the best height for the items you need to store and how accessible you need things to be.
5. Install
Install the system and organize your items according to the plan. When everything has a designated space, maintaining order is simple.
Want help?
Does creating an organizing plan feel overwhelming? Submit photos and dimensions of your garage, and we’ll put together a custom organizing plan.
With your virtual plan and personalized shopping list, you’re sure to have everything you need to get your garage organized.
